Williams Lake city council approved the official launch of the city's public engagement on developing a new official community plan (OCP) and zoning bylaw.
The project will guide growth and development in the city over the next 15 to 20 years.
A launch event is scheduled for Thursday, April 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at city hall, with everyone invited to share their vision for the city's future.
Council kicked off the consultation by providing input and their priorities for the consultants hired to complete the OCP, CitySpaces Consulting.
The project is on a tight timeline as it has to be completed by December of 2025, and city planner Jessica Ball will also be consulting with high school students to hear their visions for the future of the city.
"I would like people to manage their expectations about what is going to be included in this," said Beth Veenkamp, manager of economic development for the city. She said at the end of the day, the plan is about land use and the city is in desperate need of housing, with a projected need of 1,500 new homes in the next 20 years.
Williams Lake last updated their official community plan in 2011.
For more information on the OCP and Zoning Bylaw Update, including a sign up link to receive project updates, visit www.williamslake.ca/ocp.
